So far, Kimi Antonelli has been a wallflower at his own party at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Fourth place on the grid is low-key for the Mercedes driver in the context of his season as a whole - and the gargantuan achievement of which he stands on the brink.

It still puts the 20-year-old Italian in a strong position to seal the maiden title that will make him the youngest champion in history.

But on Saturday that was overshadowed by the veteran whose seat Antonelli took at Mercedes, as Lewis Hamilton secured his first pole position for Ferrari and his first for more than three years.

The seven-time champion edged out his former Mercedes team-mate George Russell by just 0.009 seconds to clinch his first pole since the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix and the 105th of his stellar career.

Fittingly, the only two drivers who, at least mathematically, can prevent Antonelli from sealing the deal on Sunday are together on the front row.

The only possible way in which Antonelli will not become champion at the end of…